Wichita eagle., 1887-08-31


believed him to be deeply attached 70 ne
and she asked herself why she should CO..
tinue to make him suffer, when it was in b,
power to give him happiness
Rose had always been fond of chess. ar
Gerald, who was now Mr. Silvester's assistan
came most evenings to play with her, viii
MIR. Mildmay prepared his sermons in b
study.
The rectory drawing room was a prett
and tasteful apartment, opening into COZ
servatory Of large size, which was filed wit
rare tree ferns and wonderful flowers, an
shut of from the room only by lace curtains
the glass door being usually kept open.
Rose was dressed in deep mourning, th
black of her half cut evening costume
vivid contrast against the snow white nee
and rounded arms.
She was paler and gentler looking than be
fore sorrow had overtaken her, and there wa
resigned, even calm expression in the swee
face
She was sitting at chess table and Geral,
Deering was at the opposite side The gam
was nearly played out. and Rose had the ad
vantage of him, for his thoughts were no
conferred in it. The girl was studying he
next move, and bis eyes were fixed intent,
upon her face.
3You could beat me now if you chose" sh'
said refectively, shut, Gerald, you are no
attending tonight"
Her left hand was lying upon the table
and he covered it with bis own, with gentle
protecting gesture.
mo, am not attending" he admitted; "dt
not let US finish the game; want to talk te
you. Rose, have loved you so long, / want
you to reward my patience. know how
much you cared for Hamilton, but he can.
not now claim you. He died for his country
and you can revere his memory as much a:
my wife as though you were free. In him
we both lost dear friend, and we can mourn
for him together. Rose, have pleaded SC
often. Give me the right to comfort and pro
tect you. Dear Rose, let our marriage be as
private as you please win even consent to
keep it secret, if you will, till you are in.
clined to acknowledge to the world that you
can love another; but, oh! my love, set my
heart at rest, after all it has suffered, pray
you"
"Oh! hush. Gerald! not yet, not yet-do not
urge me" she said in an agitated whisper; II
do not know what ails me; see how tremble;
feel like traitor to Hamilton. Please go
on with the game; stay. it is my move"
She raised her hand towards the table; and
as she did SO her eyes fell upon the face of
Gerald Deering, which had suddenly become
absolutely livid. She turned, and following
the direction Of his intense gaze, saw before
her the mn to whom she had been plighted
She sprang to her feet, her heart filed with a
wild joy.
Then she hesitated, checked by a feeling of
and stood with bent head be-
tween these two men who loved her.
Hamilton Sylvester had heard of her en-
gagement to his rival, but he looked at her
more in pity than in anger, while he extended
his hand and clasped her trembling fingers.
Rose" he said, ''that man left me
wounded on the battlefield among my enc
mics, having first stripped me of the colors of
my regiment and robbed me of my ring-left
me to die; but I was permitted to live and
expose his dastardly conduct l was carried
Oft prisoner by one of the chiefs and de-
tanned until the war was over, then / was re-
leased. They saved my life, probably be-
cause they saw me trying to pass tourni-
quet around my wounded leg with my sash,
for my father had taught me to do such
things. The Zulus were sorely in need of
medical attention, and thinking me to be a
doctor they preserved my life and treated me
well. l did not undeceive them, and used
such little skill as possessed in helping their
sick and wounded. 1 ought to have been re-
ported missing, but that creature lied blackly.
DE pretended to be my friend. He returned
The colors of my regiment to the colonel
md showed my ring to my brother
officers, telling them that he had taken
both from my dead body. Rose, will
you grant his request? VIII you marry
The black hearted villain who left e.friend
If his boyhood to die alone upon the battle
ield that he might win the girl to whom he
vas plighted, or will you return to your allie
,iance?" and he drew her nearer to him.
Scalding tears ran slowly down her pale
,heeks.
"Oh! Ham, Ham. I am not worthy of you,"
he murmured; II should have married him
n time, for in truth I believed you dead"
THANK you, thank you for those words!"
ried Gerald as he caught hold of her hand
md pressed it to his lips; and she recoiled
rom his touch as though he had been SER
vent.
He gave her one long look of agony, and
,leam of deadly hatred shot like a lurid flash
rom his dark eyes at his rival
The door opened, then shut, and Rose Mild
nay and Hamilton Sylvester stood face to
ace alone.
epeated mournfully.
perhaps; drops of water will wear stone.
Rose, is your love still mine?" he asked, as he
ixed his eyes upon beers as though he would
cad her very soul.
Il have ever loved you more than all the
world, Hamilton" she answered in a low
'oice of deep emotion, "and so I love you
tilln
A glad look beamed in his eyes; the stern
less deserted his mouth and it softened visibly.
lie held out both his arms to her.
"Rosie, come home!" he almost whispered,
nd in another moment she was clasped to
is breast. Sale Lloyd in London Society
1 went up to one of the slaughter houses to
ee friend of mine. While | was there a
nan who peddled kerosene around the city in
wagon drove up and wanted some blad-
ers. He finally bought lot of those sheep
ladders that will hold when blown up from
pint to a quart. After he left we talked il
yer and wondered what the man could want
hem fer. They are used in making bologna
ausages, but he couldn't want them for this
finally started for home, and in cutting
cross field came upon the peddler's wagon
landing by the fence. The kerosene cans
4 the wagon were covered with a cloth. I
7alked up closer and saw the man at work
artly under the cloth. He would take a
ladder. force it down through the mouth of
can, blow it up with a stick with a hole
trough it, take q string from q bunch
lready cut and ready, tie the mouth of the
ladder and let it remain in the can
l watched him until he had fixed up all his
ans in that Nay. He had some bladders
,ft and I was anxious to see what he in